Reference Library
IRO SAR Test
An exercise-by-exercise breakdown of the IRO SAR test for handlers and other participants: how it runs, how it's scored, and what the judge is watching for.
Judge View
J00
Quick Reference — Hard Stops & Fixed Deductions
Hard Stops (Instant Outcomes)
Fixed Point Deductions
J01
Procedure — Reporting In/Out, Between Exercises
Before the First Exercise
After the Last Exercise
Temperament Observation
Between Exercises
J02
Structural Rules for TJ
Before the Exercise
During Heeling
During Down Under Distraction
During Nosework
J03
What to Watch: UO Exercises
Heeling
Sit in Motion (Ex. 3)
Distance Control (Ex. 4)
Change of Position (Ex. 5)
J04
What to Watch: Nosework
Tactic (DH)
Alert Quality
False Alerts
VP Not Found
J05
Outcomes and Scoring
0 Points vs. Insufficient — What's the Difference?
Warning / Termination / Disqualification
Scoring Reminders
J06
Leash Rules — Full Map
UO/GW
Nosework — Reporting In to TJ
Nosework — During Search and Between VPs
Rubble Special Case — Pre-Search Perimeter Walk
J07
Praise and Touching the Dog
Praise — When and How
Touching the Dog — Nosework and UO/GW
Physical Handling at Nosework Start — Unresolved Gap
J08
Abbreviations
Roles and Participants
Disciplines (RH = Rettungshund)
Exercise Elements
Exercise Phase and Scoring Phases
Obedience & Dexterity
00
General Rules — Obedience & Dexterity (UO/GW)
General (TJ authority)
Dog Handler (DH) Evaluation
Dog (D) Evaluation
Audio Commands / Visual Commands (AC/VC)
01
Exercise 1 — Reporting In and Social Behaviour
Setup
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation
02
Exercise 2 — On-Leash Heeling (V) / Off-Leash Heeling (A, B)
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Faults
03
Exercise 3 — Sit in Motion with Recall
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Faults
04
Exercise 4 — Distance Control
Sequences
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Rule: Distance Violation
05
Exercise 5 — Change of Position
Testing Area
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Faults
06
Exercise 6 — Carry and Hand-Over
Setup
Permitted AC/VC (Level V)
Execution — Level V
Execution — Level A and B
07
Exercise 7 — Retrieve on the Flat
Retrieve Article
Level A vs. B
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
08
Exercise 8 — Directability at Distance
Testing Area
Permitted AC/VC — Level V
Permitted AC/VC — Level A and B
Execution (Level A/B)
09
Exercise 9 — Down Under Distraction
Setup
Permitted AC/VC
Execution — Common Start
Level Differences
10
Exercise 10 — Tunnel with Tube
Obstacle Spec
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Faults
11
Exercise 11 — Traversing an Elevated Rigid Wooden Board
Obstacle Spec
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Critical Rules
12
Exercise 12 — Unstable Plank
Obstacle Spec
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Faults
13
Exercise 13 — Horizontal Ladder
Obstacle Spec
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Critical Rules
14
Exercise 14 — Swing
Obstacle Spec
Permitted AC/VC
Execution
Evaluation — Critical Rules
Nosework & Alerts
15
Nosework — General Procedures
DH Readiness
Reporting In
Victims (VP)
Tactical Situation
16
Area Search (RH – FL)
General Rules
Victims (VP) Placement
FL V — Area Search Pre-test
FL A — Area Search A
17
Rubble Search (RH – T)
General Rules
Evaluation Criteria — Dog
T V — Rubble Pre-test
T A — Rubble A
18
Alerts — Full Description: D, DH, and TJ Roles
Before Any Nose Work — Declaration
During the Search — When the D Finds a VP
Alert Types — Execution Details
Alert Exercise (Separate Exercise Before the Search)